Anabel froze the moment Sebastian's hand held her waist this wasn't the first time he was touching her, but it somehow made her nervous.
"Do you remember the steps ?" He asked.
She nodded, and they started to move; slowly and carefully, she tried not to bump or step his feet.
He had been teaching her for two days now, early in the morning and evenings.
She had glared at the two maids who had led to this, she had wanted to learn without him finding out that they had never taught her how to dance.
But Sebastian didn't seem to be bothered about it but enjoyed teaching her.
But he was different from all the tutors; he was calm and patient with her, letting her take her time to memorize the steps and then practice when she did.
"This will be the last part ", he said as he moved.
His arms and body led her around the room smoothly, she always found herself lost in the moment.
Lia and Hope beamed clapping as they made the final move.
"Oh my princess, that was wonderful ", they both cheered.
"Thank you " she blushed.
Sebastian who had a meeting with some nobles, excused himself, leaving them to celebrate.
"Did you get me what I asked for ?" She asked the two.
"Yes we did ...but Henry asked why you wanted it ?" Lia asked.
"It's a secret; let's go; we need to finish it before the day tomorrow," she said.
They ran off to her room.
....
"I heard you took in a human ?" Karl smiled at his cousin.
"She has a name ", he muttered, sipping his wine.
"How would we know her name when you don't even let her out of her chambers " he smirked.
"That has nothing to do with you "
"Come on, it has everything to do with us, for it seems the rumours are true you are in love with her " he glanced back at Sebastian, noticing his discomfort.
"And if that is true, that means she might be the future Empress, automatically making her our in law ", he laughed.
"But dear nephew, I must ask...are you sure you're choosing a human for a bride? I mean, I don't want you to repeat your father's mistakes and end up like him," his uncle muttered.
The glass in his uncle's hand shattered.
"I suggest you choose wisely your next words, Uncle" he let out.
"Son, I don't think your uncle meant anything by what he said ", his mother, who had been silent, finally spoke up.
"This talk about humans is making me hungry, let's eat ", Karl let out.
Sebastian sighed falling silent.
This was why he didn't want any of them here, they always made his mood foul.
"Will she be present tomorrow?" Karl asked.
"Who ?" Sebastian pretended not to know who he meant.
"Your human bride, I mean, if you plan to marry her, you need to introduce her to us and the rest of the royal families ", he said.
"Princess Anabel, we will be there; she needs to congratulate her future husband and also finally get to meet all the noble families ", said his mother.
"Ahh....so her name is Anabel " Karl licked the corner of his lips.
"I suggest you keep your disgusting thoughts away from my future Empress " Sebastian muttered.
He stood up, leaving them at the dining table, he didn't want to be near them anymore.
"Karl ..." his father looked his way.
Karl snickered, "What...I just thought of something usual "
"I am warning you before you cause any trouble for your father, stay away from her ", said Queen Mother.
"What do you mean, aunt ...I haven't done anything, or do I intend to? " he smirked.
She scoffed, getting up, and glared down at Karl.
"He has been putting up with you cause your family but I am telling you this before you step out of line, this time you will die... if you touch a hair on her body "
"Is she that important? She is just another human ", his father spoke out.
"That was what you said about me before your brother tore off your left hand " She glanced down at the arm he was hiding down under the table.
He gritted his teeth falling silent.
"It was only a hand for I intervened, but I think you wouldn't be alive if I didn't " She smiled, her cold eyes moving back to Karl.
"If his father was that bad, think of what his son will do to his cousin if he lets his sick thoughts and disgusting habits get the best of him, so I suggest you advise him".
She turned walking away, "Before it's too late for him"
Karl turned to his father, "What did she mean about your arm . I thought you lost that when you escaped from those hunters ?".
His father gulped not saying a word.
"Talk to me father ...what did she mean by it being ripped off by the late uncle ?" he yelled.
"Just listen to what she said; stay away from that human for now", he let out.
"Huh?".
"Son, if it's true that he's in love with her like the rumours say, then you need to be careful ", he added.
"You're all crazy; what can he possibly do to me? We are family, and she is just another human like all the others, "he laughed.
"Son dont make any mistakes for if you do I won't be able to protect you anymore "The stern look in his father's eyes pissed him off.
He stood up storming off.
His father sighed; memories from that night had sprung up the moment she had said those words.
It true they were superior beings, but some were more superior than others, and his half-brother was among those. Since the day he was born, he was special.
And he had grown up hating him especially when he took his position from him. But it wasn't until that night that he knew how powerful he was, the night he lost his hand and hope of ever being the Emperor.
A shiver went down his spine as he thought about it.
"If his son is close to what his father was ..then son, you have no chance against him", he muttered to himself.
His brother had made that clear a few years ago.